A Leap of Faith: From Romania to St. John’s and Beyond

Growing up in Romania, New York City felt a little like a dream. I knew it mostly from movies and never imagined I would one day call it home.

That changed in the summer of 2022, when I received a scholarship to attend Sotheby’s Summer Institute of Art in New York. I arrived expecting a few weeks of classes and a chance to experience the city I had only known from afar. Instead, it changed the way I imagined my future. That was all it took for me to fall in love with the city and begin to picture myself building a life there.

When I was there, I also discovered St. John’s University; it felt like the right fit. I was drawn to the opportunities the University offered and its proximity to Manhattan. 

What started as a summer in New York brought me across the world and into a life I never could have imagined for myself.

Adjusting to College Life and New York City 

The adjustment when I arrived on campus wasn’t immediate. Everything felt different: the language, people, food, culture, and even the little things I had never thought twice about back home. There were moments when being so far away from everything familiar felt overwhelming.

Moving to New York was a complete life change. I had packed my life into a few suitcases and moved across the world by myself. Looking back now, I realize how much courage that took, even though I was mostly focused on the excitement of starting this new chapter.

What made the biggest difference was finding the right people. I met friends, including other international students, who understood what it felt like to build a life somewhere completely new. Slowly, I found my routines, became more confident, and learned that adapting to a new country doesn’t happen overnight; it happens little by little.

As I became more comfortable in my new environment, I also found opportunities to build connections and grow. One was becoming a Marketing Assistant in The Peter J. Tobin College of Business dean’s office just one month after starting college. It was my first job on campus and has become one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience.

Through this role, I have been able to take what I have learned in my marketing classes and put it into practice, from creating social media content and interviewing students to helping run events across Tobin. More importantly, it has introduced me to a community of faculty, administrators, and staff who continue to support me and genuinely want to see me succeed.

Growing Through Experiences Beyond the Classroom

As I became more comfortable at St. John’s, I began to embrace opportunities that challenged me, broadened my perspective, and helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Through the Ozanam Scholars program, I was able to travel to Costa Rica and Ecuador for service experiences. I also visited the St. John’s Paris, France, location for the Vincentian Heritage Tour and spent an entire semester studying abroad at the University’s Rome, Italy, location.

I also received a scholarship to attend the European Innovation Academy in Porto, Portugal. For three weeks, I worked alongside students from around the world to take a start-up idea from its earliest stages through research, marketing, and development. The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone and allowed me to learn from entrepreneurs and mentors while working in a truly international environment.

Most recently, before beginning my senior year, I had the opportunity to intern at Tarte Cosmetics, a beauty brand I had admired for years. As an E-Commerce and International Marketing Intern, I was especially excited to contribute to international projects and bring my own global perspective into my work. I learned so much from my team and particularly my manager, whose mentorship made the experience even more meaningful.

At the end of my junior year, I was also incredibly grateful to be inducted into the President’s Honor Society, St. John’s highest academic honor society. It was one of those moments that made me stop and reflect on just how far I had come. I never imagined that taking a chance on a university thousands of miles away would lead me to so many places, people, and experiences.

Looking Back on My Journey

When I look back at the person I was when I first arrived at St. John’s, I’m most proud of the courage I had to take such a big leap of faith. Moving across the world taught me how independent I could be, but it also made me realize just how deeply I value my roots. I’ve become even prouder of being Romanian, of my culture, and of where I come from. For many people I’ve met here, I may have been the first Romanian they ever knew, and I’ve always carried that with pride and responsibility.

I may have left home, but home never left me. I carry my family, friends, and culture into every new room I enter and every dream I pursue. They are not reminders of what I left behind; they are the reason I have the courage to keep moving forward.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: Trust the process, especially when everything feels unfamiliar. There will be moments when you question the decision you made, but in those moments, remember the reason you were brave enough to make it in the first place. Hold on to the dream that brought you here and never be afraid to keep dreaming even bigger. Aim as high as you can, even when something feels out of reach. Sometimes, the life you once only imagined becomes the life you get to live.